Microdiscectomy Advice

Submitted by bamblb t3_zu1cz5 in rva

Hey RVA,

My bf posted a few weeks back asking for advice on how to handle my severe pain from a herniated disc. We got really great responses, and I’m so thankful to those who gave input!

That advice led me to a great doctor, and a significant decrease in pain, but now I’m having to get surgery to relieve my poor nerve that’s been crushed by this herniation for the last two years (the doc was just as baffled as I was to learn this was the same herniation from 2020).

So now I’m hoping to get tips and advice on pre-surgery preparations at home, and post-surgery maintenance from those who’ve gone through or helped someone through this.

I thankfully have my awesome bf to help and family close by, but it’s hard to prepare for something you’ve never experienced.

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RulerOfTheRest t1_j1h8x8j wrote

I have to say it warms my heart that you finally have a doctor that listened to you and got you that MRI scan to set you on the path to get better. I don't have any advice, other than to take it easy and stick to your recovery plan to a T, but you will be fine, as I've known several people who've had the surgery and their lives have become 1000% better. Have a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, and a speedy recovery! 2023 is already looking to be a better year for you ;)

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bamblb OP t1_j1jm3fy wrote

Thanks so much! I’m excited to get rid of this pain, but I’m trying to mentally prepare for recovering. Here’s to 2023 being a less painful year! Merry Christmas to you and have the happiness new year ☺️

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Huckles123 t1_j1gq3h5 wrote

Hey! Glad you got in. As I said before, this surgery will be a light switch! You’ll basically wake up and wonder whether you actually had surgery-it’s seriously that relieving of a procedure. Just take it easy and avoid stairs, as they’ll tell you, for a few weeks and don’t lift heavy for a few months, and you’ll be so happy you had the surgery. Good luck with everything!

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wilsonwilsonxoxo t1_j1h75vc wrote

Who is your surgeon?

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bamblb OP t1_j1jmc3p wrote

Gangavalli with orthoVA at St Mary’s; and honestly, he’s the third doc I’ve seen with orthoVA and they’re all amazing. Highly recommend

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Prestigious_Laugh300 t1_j1hvxt4 wrote

I had it years ago on my L4/L5

  • Try to recover naturally

  • Get steroid shots first and try to recover naturally

  • Do PT first and try to recover naturally

  • Understand you may not be pain free after and will always have a soft spot when lifting boxes/furniture/car crashes. You are down 1/2 a disc permanently. It doesn't regenerate. Hence the natural recovery.

  • I lived with the gradually worse pain for 8 months and now have residual nerve damage, I should have seen a doc way sooner

  • I had mine done by Raj Mehta of Neurological Associates and he was great.

  • If you have radiating pain down your legs, make an apt now or goto Ortho On Call to get an MRI scheduled STAT

  • If at any point you lose feeling in your genitals, you have an emergency, go to the ER

  • And finally if at all possible try to recover naturally, it will take months of taking it easy to fully heal. But then again, after surgery I couldn't lift anything over 10 lbs for 3 months and it was about 2 years to 100%

Injury was in my late 20s, non smoker, athletic build (being obese apparently just constantly pulls your spine forward due to large stomach, making injury/recovery worse whenever you are standing)

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bamblb OP t1_j1jmx9c wrote

I tried natural recovery and my disc has slipped even further over the years so it’s just going to be an issue until I get the surgery. PT this time around made it worse, which was super disheartening because I loved my therapist. I ended up going to Ortho On Call when I couldn’t take the pain anymore and they set me on the right path to recovery. Steroids helped so much but I’m still not healed.

I’m most frustrated about the recovery process taking longer than I’d like because I do have some weight to lose and it’s difficult when I can’t exercise. Patience is my best ally at the moment!

Thanks for the response and I hope you have a great holiday and happy new year! ☺️

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Herownself t1_j1jy9sq wrote

I've had three big back surgeries. My secret tip is pool-based PT ahead of time to strengthen your core. And meal prep or freeze a bunch of easy meals for the recovery. You can do this!

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bamblb OP t1_j1kc2ej wrote

Thanks for the response! We’ve been doing weekly meal prep but I hadn’t considered freezing meals ahead of time; this is a great tip! Where would you recommend doing pool based PT? I have about 4 weeks until surgery and would be willing to try water exercises

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Herownself t1_j1n2spx wrote

With 4 weeks it's probably too late to get into real pool-based PT. But SwimRVA has a therapy pool with a treadmill, and is not outrageously expensive.

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breafofdawild t1_j20x6zj wrote

Would love to know who the doc is. I’ve been dealing with back issues for 14-15 years now and it feels like most of the docs/surgeons in this area have said “surgery would fail me” and sent me on my way.

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bamblb OP t1_j2113zx wrote

Have you been to orthoVA? I’ve had great luck with them every time I’ve been. The last doc I saw was Anup Gangavalli at St. Mary’s and he was great at explaining what is going on with my spine. I also went to Ortho On Call when I was in debilitating pain (it’s kinda like patient first for ortho problems) and the doc there really listened to me, gave good advice, and sent me to Gangavalli.

If you haven’t been to orthoVA I highly recommend; if so, shop around for different doctors until you find someone to give you solutions. I wish you luck on finding solutions!

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breafofdawild t1_j2188hq wrote

I have seen multiple docs at OrthoVA (and for multiple issues not including my back). All of the non-back related docs have been fantastic. The two I’ve seen for my back have been non-helpful and either just said no, or passed me off to someone else.

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